New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said that Muslims were among the deprived communities and required vigorous governmental action to address the situation.
He was addressing the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) annual convocation.
He said no nation could aspire towards when large sections of its population are excluded from the benefits of national achievement and progress.
"We are deeply concerned about the status of our deprived communities, including the Muslim community, and we stand committed to their welfare and progress," PTI quoted him as saying.
“There is a need for vigorous governmental action at the grass-root level and the Government would not shy away from its responsibility towards the marginalised masses,” Mukherjee added.
"I am aware that the assault on our secular order is taking place," he said, adding there were deep concerns about the standing of the larger Muslim community, which "is seen as being deprived and marginalised", particularly in northern parts.
Mukherjee criticised the "chauvinistic elements who try to promote the thesis that any particular religion glorifies crimes against humanity" and said such an "exclusivist approach" was weakening the country's fight against terrorism.
He also reiterated India's stand that the "only way forward is for the international community to declare a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism".
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